James Monroe was born in Westmoreland, Virginia before the US became a country. He was born on April 28, 1758.
He was one of seven Presidents from Virginia.
James Monroe was an Episcopalian.
Monroe served in the American Revolution. He was wounded during the war.
James Monroe is best remembered for the Monroe Doctrine.
The White House was still being rebuilt when he became president. On January 1, 1818, the president and his wife held a public reception marking the reopening of the White House. The White House was painted white the year Monroe became president.
Monroe was the first President that was inaugurated outdoors.
James Monroe's Vice President was Daniel D. Tompkins (1817-1825).
James Monroe was President during the First Seminole War, 1817-1818
President Monroe was the first President who had been a US Senator.
James Monroe ran unopposed for his second term.(1820)
Monroe's daughter was the first bride in the White House.
The U.S. took over Florida from Spain during his term.
Monroe had several pets while in the White House. He had sheep dogs and a black spaniel that belonged to his granddaughter.
James Monroe was the first president to ride a steamboat.
In the election of 1820, Monroe received every electoral vote but one. A New Hampshire delegate wanted Washington to be the only president elected unanimously.
He became president after more than 40 years of public service. Long public service made him a poor man, and in 1830, he was forced to move in with his daughter. He died there on July 4, 1831.
He was the third of five presidents to die on the Fourth of July. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died five years before. Monroe died of heart failure.
James Monroe is buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Va. He was 73 years and 67 days old.
Quotes:
"Attacks on me will do no harm, and silent contempt is the best answer to them" April 29, 1808
Sources:
The Presidents of the United States. 22 September 2004 <http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/>
Davis, Gibbs and Ilus. David A. Johnson. Wackiest White House Pets. New York: Scholastic Press, October 2004
James, Barber and Amy Pastan. Smithsonian Presidents and First Ladies. New York: DK Publishing, 2002
Harnsberger, Caroline Thomas. Treasury of Presidential Quotations. Chicago: Follett Publishing Company, 1964
Kane, Joseph Natan. Facts about the Presidents from Washington to Johnson. New York: H.W. Wilson Company, 1964.
National Park Service Web Site on Presidential Trivia: http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/pres/trivia.htm.
